NAIROBI, Kenya – The Senate has initiated investigations into a potential collusion between the Social Health Authority (SHA), formerly NHIF, and private insurance companies over a Ksh. 6.3 billion medical contract with the National Police Service (NPS).
The inquiry follows widespread allegations of delayed or outright denied compensation for police officers injured in the line of duty.
Eliud Kinuthia, chairperson of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), testified before the Senate Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations Committee, revealing troubling gaps in the system.
According to Kinuthia, only 937 claims worth Ksh. 709 million have been settled, leaving 240 claims worth Ksh. 240 million rejected and 161 claims totaling Ksh. 108 million still under processing.
Additionally, 422 claims valued at Ksh. 444 million are under internal review, while 106 await proper documentation.
Kinuthia accused the SHA and its co-insurers of deliberately complicating the claims process.
“They are targeting a very vulnerable group that lacks unions,” he said. “We have no representation, and we can’t raise our voices. Officers are suffering in silence.”
The situation stems from a dual-contract arrangement where the NPS initially signed a compensation agreement with NHIF.
Due to capacity challenges, NHIF involved private insurance companies to underwrite claims, an arrangement the NPSC says has only worsened matters.
“We do not recognize these co-insurers,” Kinuthia stated emphatically. “As the employer, we have no agreement with them. NHIF—or SHA—should take full responsibility for whoever they brought into this arrangement.”
Kinuthia dismissed excuses offered by insurers, including one instance where a claim was rejected because the officer was assaulted while sleeping at home.
“A police officer does not sleep; we rest because we are on duty 24 hours a day,” he said.
Committee Chairperson William Cheptumo criticized SHA’s management for the fiasco, vowing accountability.
“The real enemy here is SHA,” he said. “They may not answer to the Insurance Regulatory Authority, but they will answer to us. We will summon all co-insurers to explain why these claims remain unpaid.”
The Senate probe aims to address grievances for the 1,966 officers who have filed injury claims and ensure justice for those left in limbo
The inquiry follows widespread allegations of delayed or outright denied compensation for police officers injured in the line of duty.
Eliud Kinuthia, chairperson of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), testified before the Senate Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations Committee, revealing troubling gaps in the system.
According to Kinuthia, only 937 claims worth Ksh. 709 million have been settled, leaving 240 claims worth Ksh. 240 million rejected and 161 claims totaling Ksh. 108 million still under processing.
Additionally, 422 claims valued at Ksh. 444 million are under internal review, while 106 await proper documentation.
Kinuthia accused the SHA and its co-insurers of deliberately complicating the claims process.
“They are targeting a very vulnerable group that lacks unions,” he said. “We have no representation, and we can’t raise our voices. Officers are suffering in silence.”
The situation stems from a dual-contract arrangement where the NPS initially signed a compensation agreement with NHIF.
Due to capacity challenges, NHIF involved private insurance companies to underwrite claims, an arrangement the NPSC says has only worsened matters.
“We do not recognize these co-insurers,” Kinuthia stated emphatically. “As the employer, we have no agreement with them. NHIF—or SHA—should take full responsibility for whoever they brought into this arrangement.”
Kinuthia dismissed excuses offered by insurers, including one instance where a claim was rejected because the officer was assaulted while sleeping at home.
“A police officer does not sleep; we rest because we are on duty 24 hours a day,” he said.
Committee Chairperson William Cheptumo criticized SHA’s management for the fiasco, vowing accountability.
“The real enemy here is SHA,” he said. “They may not answer to the Insurance Regulatory Authority, but they will answer to us. We will summon all co-insurers to explain why these claims remain unpaid.”
The Senate probe aims to address grievances for the 1,966 officers who have filed injury claims and ensure justice for those left in limbo
